Glorybower, Clerodendrum trichotomum

tree of the family Verbenaceae Verbenaceae or Lamiaceae (the same family: Bunge Glorybower)

Etymology: Clerodendrum comes from Greek kleros which means "chance" or "destiny" and dendron, "tree". It is therefore '"tree of chance". It refers to the considerable variation in reports of the usefulness of Clerodendrum in medicine.Origin: Far East; most Verbenaceae are native to tropical regions of the world.Habitat: half-shade or sunlight, sheltered from the wind.Hardiness: zone 7 (it supports cold until -17 °C or 1 °F). Height: 4-6 m.Bark: brown, cracked.Leaves: deciduous, ovate, acuminate apex, rounded base, slightly toothed margin, dark green upper face, lower face with salient and shaggy ribs.Flowers: white, sweet-scented, in corymbs, at the end of summer.

Fruits: drupes, blue porcelain, encircled with a crimson red calyx.Utility: ornamental tree, appreciated for the perfume of its flowers and its spectacular fruits. The flowers of some species of Glorybower are used in the Indian pharmacopeia in the treatment of the intestinal worms.